Indoor Soccer Rules

Revised 10/16/06

 

 

Rule # 1  Age Requirements

            Age is determined by the first game of the season.

            If a child wants to play up in a different age division the Veterans Memorial Field House must be notified by the parent in writing before the teams are chosen.

            Youth leagues will consist of players 18 years of age and under. To play on adult league players must be 18 years of age. The Veterans Memorial Field House has the right to check valid ID’s such as driver’s license and/ or birth certificates on any layer in question.

Rule # 2 Eligibility

           

Adult leagues: All players will be requested to give identification at the start of each game.  Driver’s License and or School ID are acceptable.  The identification cars will be returned after each game.  No card no play!

 

Youth Leagues: Anytime a coach, referee, or Veterans Memorial Field House employee questions the eligibility of a player, the VMFH employee will check the coach’s roster and the official roster in question, if an illegal player is found the appealing team will

            receive the win by forfeit.

 

 

Rules  # 3  Players

All rosters are set after the first game. Should unforeseen circumstances arises the coach may add a player with the league directors approval.

            No player can play for more than one (1) team per league unless authorized by the league director and opposing coach or team manager/parent.

            Roster is limited to 12 players per team.

            Number of players on a team is as follows:

                        a). U18 + will have 5 players and a goalie

                        b). U10-- U15 will have six players and a goalie

            All Players must be on the Roster prior to start of 1st game.  Any additions after this time must be approved by the Director.

           All Co-ed Teams must have at least one girl on the Roster.

Rule #  4 - The Players' Equipment

           

            Players wear their team's uniform, consisting of the same colors, shin guards, and indoor footwear. Jewelry and other accessories are prohibited. The Goalkeeper wears            jersey colors distinguished from all other field players and from the Referees.

           

            Same colored shirts with numeric number is considered part of the your equipment. 

 

            Failure to comply will result in the inability to participate in that game.

 

Rule  # 5 - The Referee

           

            The decisions of the Referee regarding facts connected with play and interpretations of the Rules are final.

 

 

Rule # 6  Duration of Play

1.       An official timekeeper/scorekeeper will be present at each regular season game and each tournament game.  This person has no decision-making authority for on field activities.

2.       Two (2) 20-minute halves will be played.

3.    One (1) five minute warm up prior to each game will be permitted.

4.       One (1) three minute half-time will be taken between halves

5.       During regular season games there is no Overtime. Overtime takes effect during the tournament.

 

Rule # 7     Basic Game Rules

  1. Coaches are to submit a player line up prior to the start of each game. This will   include players full name and Shirt number.  These line-up cards will be matched to the Team roster should there be in questions.

  2. Dead Ball.  When ball goes out of playing area the ball will be placed at the outage location and a free kick (direct) is awarded.

3. The time clock will run continuously except during injuries.  In the last two minutes of the game the clock will stop with any dead ball situation.  Clock will restart  upon contact of the ball.

   4. Substitutions are permitted during play. To avoid interference with play, changes must be made while game play is on opposite end of arena. 

5. ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD OR BEVERAGES ARE PERMITTED ON MAIN FLOOR OF THE  ARENA!

Rule # 8     Start and Restart of Play

            A Kickoff from the Center Mark starts play at the beginning of each Half and after every goal. A player who starts play may not again play the ball until it touches another player.

The Home Team takes the Kickoff for the First half, and any Overtime Period, and the Visiting Team takes the Kickoff for the Second Half. The Referee designates the teams’ defensive ends, according to “house rules.”  Kick offs are considered indirect kicks.

 

            Restarts take place by either a Kickoff, Free Kick, Goalkeeper Throw-In, or Dropped Ball. Other than for Kickoffs or as provided below, Restarts occur within three feet (3') from the spot of the ball at the moment of stoppage.

 

            A team receives a Free Kick after stoppages other than when a Dropped Ball or Goalkeeper Throw-In is required. Before the team takes the Free Kick, the ball must be stationary. All opposing players are at least 15 feet from the spot of the Free Kick (or, if within 15 feet of the opponent's Goal, along the Goal Line). The spot of the Free Kick is           that provided above, except:

 

            (a) Within Own Penalty Arch: from any spot therein.

            (b) Within Opponent's Penalty Arch: at the Free Kick Mark ("Top of the Arch").

            (c) Delayed Penalty: (i) according to the ensuing stoppage, as normally administered, or (ii) in case the defending team obtains possession of the                                    ball during play, at the spot of the original offense. (See unabridged Rules             where the original offense would have resulted in a Shootout.)

            (d) Kick-In: from the point on the Touch Line nearest where the ball crossed over the Perimeter Wall.

            (f) Superstructure Violation: from the nearer Restart Mark.

           

            If neither team has clear possession of the ball at a stoppage, the Referee restarts play with a Dropped Ball. A Dropped Ball caused while the ball is inside a Penalty Arch takes place at the Free Kick Mark.

 

            Play restarts with a Goalkeeper Throw-in anywhere within the Penalty Arch after an attacking player has last touched the ball before crossing an end perimeter wall.

 

Rule # 9   The Ball In And Out Of Play

 

            A Superstructure Violation occurs when the ball contacts any part of the building above the field of play.

 

 

 

Rule # 10   The Method of Scoring

 

            A team scores a goal when the whole of the ball legally passes over the Goal Line.

           

 

 

Rule # 11  Fouls and Other Violations

 

A Foul occurs if a player (all results in Free Kick):

 

            (a) Holds an opponent;

            (b) Handles the ball (except by the Goalkeeper within his Penalty Arch);

            (c) Plays in a dangerous manner;

            (d) Slide tackles;

            (e) Impedes the progress of an opponent ("Obstruction"), or

            (f) Prevents the Goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands;

 

            and when a player commits the following in a manner that the Referee  considers careless, serious, reckless, or involving excessive force:

                       

                        (a) Kicks an opponent;

                        (b) Trips an opponent;

                        (c) Jumps at an opponent;

                        (d) Charges an opponent;

                        (e) Strikes or elbows an opponent; or

                        (f) Pushes an opponent.

 

Unsporting Behavior: A Free Kick results for the following offenses:

           

            (a) Leverage: Using the body of a teammate or any part of the field to gain an

            advantage;

            (b) Encroachment: Entering the protected area of an opposing player taking a Free

            Kick (after initial Warning);

            (c) Dissent: (i) Referee Abuse; (ii) Breach of Penalty Area Decorum; (iii) Entering   the Referee Crease without permission;

            (d) Other: Behavior, which, in the Referee's discretion, does not warrant another

            category of penalty (e.g., taunting, foul language.)

 

Goalkeeper Violations:

           

            The opposing team receives a Free Kick for the following violations by a Goalkeeper:

 

            (a) Illegal Handling: Bringing the ball from outside of the Penalty Arch to his hand within it, or receiving the ball again after a Goalkeeper Distribution without the ball's   having first touched another player (e.g., no drop-kicking or bouncing the ball);

            (b) Pass Back: Handling the ball, having been passed deliberately and directly to him by a teammate; except that he may handle a ball which a teammate passes to            him by the head, chest, or knee and without "trickery" (the use of a wall or foot to         flick the ball to a head, chest, or knee before making the pass);

            (c) 5-Seconds: Controlling the ball with either his hand or foot inside of his Penalty Arch for over five (5) seconds.

 

All fouls could result in Yellow /Red card issuance.

 

Team Violations:

           

The Referee issues a Team Penalty for the following violations by a team or

unidentified person:

            (a) Leaving Team Bench: Players leave a Team Bench to join a fracas or

            confrontation with the opposition or a Game Official;

            (b) Bench Dissent: After an initial "Warning," one or more unidentifiable players

            verbally abuse the Referee.

            (c) Other: Unsporting Behavior, which, in the Referee's discretion, does not warrant another category of penalty.

 

Could result in a free kick, two-minute penalty and or forfeiture of game.  Also, depending on severity the team could forfeit the season.

 

Advantage Rule:

           

            The Referee allows play to continue, notwithstanding the commission of an

            offense, when the team against which it has been committed will benefit from an existing offensive advantage.

NO BODY CHECKING WILL BE PERMITTED!!

a.)    1st offense will result in ejection from game.

b.)    2nd offense will result in ejection from current league.

c.)      3rd offense will result in lifetime banning from any sport at the Veterans Memorial Field House.

Flagrant Fouls:

            A Shootout is awarded for the following Fouls committed by a defender in his or her defensive half of the field:

            (a) A Foul within the Penalty Arch or Goal for which he receives a Time Penalty;

            (b) A Foul from behind against an attacking player, having control of the ball and one or no defensive players between himself and the Goal; and

            (c) Any Foul where he/she is the last player on the team between the attacking

player with the ball and the Goal.

 

Red Card Offenses:

 

            Unless otherwise provided below, the Referee issues a Red Card for

            serious fouls and for:

            (a) Deliberate Handball

            (b) Goalkeeper Endangerment;

            (c) Boarding;

            (d) Unsporting Behavior by a player; and

            (e) Team Violations.

 

Cautionable Offenses:

            The Referee issues a Yellow Card for reckless Fouls and offenses

            described directly above, and for the following:

            (a) Second Yellow Card;

            (b) Unsporting Behavior by any non-player personnel;

            (c) Provoking Altercation: Making physical contact with an opponent (e.g., pushing or poking), short of fighting, or using the ball in so doing.

 

Ejectionable Offenses:

 

            A person receives a Red Card for Fouls and offenses described directly

            above, which the Referee considers violent or use of excessive force, and for:

            (a) Second Time Penalty;  ( 2 yellows and you will be ejected from game )

            (b) Elbowing: Intentionally elbowing an opponent above the shoulder;

            (c) Vicious Slide Tackling: A tackle from the side or from behind directly into one or both legs of an opponent, seriously endangering him;

            (d) Fighting;

            (e) Leaving Team Bench or Penalty Area to engage in a fracas or confrontation with the opposition or a Game Official;

            (f) Extreme Unsporting Behavior: Committing particularly despicable behavior,

            including:

                        (i) Spitting at an opponent or any other person;

                        (ii) Persistent use of extremely abusive language or behavior toward a Game Official; or a player

            (iii) Bodily contact with a Game Official in dissent.

Bad Language

Players will be expected to conduct themselves in a mature manner. Profane or abusive  language WILL NOT BE TOLERATED and will be cause for immediate ejection.

Players with a history of fouls could be asked to leave the league. 

Rule #12  Penalty Enforcement

             1.  Player must proceed off the playing floor to their appropriate team bench immediately and serve the amount of time given for the penalty.

            2. Any equipment throwing or disorderly conduct is considered un-sportsman like and could result in a suspension from the game.  

            3. Any player having used flagrant physical contact with another player, official or spectator shall be automatically suspended from the game and possibly the league.

            4. If a player is suspended from a game he/ she will not be eligible to play in the following game. And if a player has been suspended from two (2) games the player will be suspended from the league for the rest of the season.

 

Rule # 13   Penalty Kicks

            NO PENALTY KICKS ARE AWARDED

 

Rule # 14 - Time Penalties

 

The following penalties apply to offenses for which a Card is issued (subject to further action by the Administrative Authority): The person who commits a carded offense serves the penalty. Players serving Time Penalties serve their Time Penalties, seated, until their expiration and the Referee permits their release.

                        (a) Yellow card: 1st Yellow card is a 2-minute penalty, 2nd yellow card equals a red card.

                        (b) Red Card: Ejection from the rest of the game plus one additional game. Two reds cards in one season equal possible ejection from the league.

                       

Short-Handed Play:

 

             For each Time Penalty being served by a player, his team plays with one fewer field player until its expiration; provided that a team may not have fewer than the             minimum required, regardless of the number serving Time Penalties. 

 

            Should a player receive a Time Penalty, while two or more teammates are already in the Penalty Area, his team continues to play with the minimum while he joins             his teammates in the Area.

 

Exceptions:

           

            Under the following circumstances, Time Penalties either expire prior to their

            completed countdown, or have the beginning of their countdowns delayed:

                       

                        (a) Multiple Penalties: If two teammates are serving Time Penalties when another teammate is penalized, his Time Penalty does not begin to count                               down until at least one of the teammates' Time Penalties has expired and his Time Penalty is next to begin.

 

                        (b) Simultaneous Ejections: When two simultaneous Red Cards carrying the same Time Penalties are assessed to opposing players, their Time                               Penalties are not served.

 

(c) Maximum Time Penalty: No player may receive more than 5 minutes for penalties arising at the same time on the Game Clock, should a player receive a third 2-minute penalty, this penalty will be consider a red card and the player is ejected from the game.

                        (d) End of Game: All Time Penalties carry over between periods and expire at the end of the game.

 

Delayed Penalty:

                       

            In instances where the Referee would issue a Yellow Card, but for the Advantage Rule, he acknowledges the offense by holding the Card above his head until the earlier to occur of the following:

                        (a) Opponent's Possession: The team of the offending player gains control of the ball;

                        (b) Stoppage: The Referee stops play for any reason.

 

Rule # 15  Tied Game

1. If the score is tied at the end of regulation in a regular season game, each team will be awarded one point in the league standing. There shall no overtime play during the regular season.

2. In the case of tournament play there will be an overtime period to decide games that are tied after regulation time has expired. The overtime period will be played as follows:

a.) One (1) five minute period is played. All normal rules apply.

b.) If the score remains tied after the overtime period a “shoot out” will commence with four players on each team allowed one opportunity to score. The team with the most goals will be declared the winner.

c.) If the score still remains tied a sudden death “shoot out” will commence.

NOTE: A shoot off consists of a one on one match up between a player and the opposing goalkeeper where the player takes the ball from the center of the playing floor and runs towards the goalkeeper and attempts to score a goal.

NOTE:

d.) The five-minute overtime period is considered part of the game and any un-expired penalties shall remain in effect.

 Rule # 16   Tiebreaker:

 

A Tiebreaker proceeds by Shootouts, except that:

 

(a) The Referee designates the Goal at which both teams shoot and the team which shoots first (according to administrative policy);

 

(b) All players, other than the player taking the shot and the defending Goalkeeper, remain within their Team Bench areas;

 

(c) Both teams have up to 3 shots, with players from each team kicking alternately;

 

(d) If, at any time, a team obtains a 2-goal advantage, the Tiebreaker ceases and the winner is declared;

(e) If, after both teams have taken 3 shots, neither has an advantage, the Tiebreaker continues, alternating one player at a time, until both teams have taken an equal number of shots and one team has scored when the other has not;

 

(f) The player has 5 seconds to score after the Referee's whistle.

Rule # 17     Uniforms      

1.    All players must wear a shirt of the same color of their team with their designated number on the back. Penalty and forfeit could occur for the team who does not have the appropriate shirts.

2.    Any team sponsors must be approved by the Field House.

Rule # 18    Coaches Responsibility

Each coach shall be supplied with a copy of the Veterans Memorial Field House Indoor Soccer Rules and shall acquaint his/ her players with the content of the rules.

Coaches may not enter the playing area during a game. A minor penalty will be assigned if this shall occur.

 Rule # 19   Referees

             The referees shall maintain control of the game and the players.

              Any decision made by the referee is final.

              Players who excessively argue the referee’s decision may be removed from play and may face suspension.

              Discussions with the referee are permitted only prior to game time, during half time, and following a game.         

Rule #  20    Fees

            All league fees must be paid in advance, prior to start of season.

                        Teams are not eligible for any refunds following the start of the season schedule.

Rule #  21    Game Schedules

             Each team will be provided with a schedule by the first game.  Game schedules will be  emailed out, and placed on the website prior to start of season. 

            Schedules are subject to change. Adequate notice will be given.

Rule #  22     League Director

The league director will be responsible to administer and control the league in a  manner consistent with applicable rules. Any matter not covered by these rules will be left to the discretion of the league director.